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Liew LP, Shome A, Wong WW, Hong CR, Hicks KO, Jamieson SMF, Hay MP. Design, Synthesis and Anticancer Evaluation of Nitroimidazole Radiosensitisers. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28114457. [PMID: 37298933 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28114457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of hypoxic tumour cells in resistance to radiotherapy, and in suppression of immune response, continues to endorse tumour hypoxia as a bona fide, yet largely untapped, drug target. Radiotherapy innovations such as stereotactic body radiotherapy herald new opportunities for classical oxygen-mimetic radiosensitisers. Only nimorazole is used clinically as a radiosensitiser, and there is a dearth of new radiosensitisers in development. In this report, we augment previous work to present new nitroimidazole alkylsulfonamides and we document their cytotoxicity and ability to radiosensitise anoxic tumour cells in vitro. We compare radiosensitisation with etanidazole and earlier nitroimidazole sulfonamide analogues and we identify 2-nitroimidazole and 5-nitroimidazole analogues with marked tumour radiosensitisation in ex vivo assays of surviving clonogens and with in vivo tumour growth inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia P Liew
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Avik Shome
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Way W Wong
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Cho R Hong
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Kevin O Hicks
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Stephen M F Jamieson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Michael P Hay
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
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Jamieson SM, Tsai P, Kondratyev MK, Budhani P, Liu A, Senzer NN, Chiorean EG, Jalal SI, Nemunaitis JJ, Kee D, Shome A, Wong WW, Li D, Poonawala-Lohani N, Kakadia PM, Knowlton NS, Lynch CR, Hong CR, Lee TW, Grénman RA, Caporiccio L, McKee TD, Zaidi M, Butt S, Macann AM, McIvor NP, Chaplin JM, Hicks KO, Bohlander SK, Wouters BG, Hart CP, Print CG, Wilson WR, Curran MA, Hunter FW. Evofosfamide for the treatment of human papillomavirus-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. JCI Insight 2023; 8:169136. [PMID: 36810255 PMCID: PMC9990753 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.169136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
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Hay MP, Wong WW, Dickson BD, Cheng GJ, Liew LP, Hong CR, Wilson WR, Jamieson SM. Abstract PO-018: Hypoxia activated prodrugs of DNA-dependent protein kinase inhibitors as radiosensitisers of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Clin Cancer Res 2021. [DOI: 10.1158/1557-3265.radsci21-po-018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Inhibition of the repair of radiation-induced DNA double strand breaks offers the potential to sensitize tumors to radiation therapy. DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) is a well validated target for radiosensitisation, but inhibition also has the potential to radiosensitize normal tissues within the radiation field, and to target normal tissue functions outside of DNA-PK’s canonical role in DNA repair. Exploiting hypoxia to selectively activate hypoxia-activated prodrugs of DNA-PK inhibitors (DNA-PKi) in tumors may enhance tumor selectivity, with the advantage of sensitizing the most radioresistant (hypoxic) subpopulation, as well as sensitizing adjacent oxic cells through a local bystander effect. We recently conducted a drug discovery campaign, scaffold-hopping from the pan-PIKK inhibitor dactolisib to identify new DNA-PKi. We screened compounds against three signal targets DNA-PK, PI3Kα and mTOR, and determined in vitro sensitization of UT-SCC-54C head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells using a growth inhibition endpoint. We identified a highly selective lead DNA-PKi, SN39536, and a corresponding hypoxia-activated prodrug, SN39884. SN39536 is an effective inhibitor of DNA-PK activity, both biochemically and in cells, with substantial selectivity compared to phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) enzymes and other PI3K-related kinase enzymes. SN39536 provided radiosensitization of DNA-PK proficient HAP1 cells, but was inactive against isogenic cells with knockout of the DNA-PK catalytic subunit (PRKDC), demonstrating on-mechanism activity. SN39536 also provided robust radiosensitization of oxic UT-SCC-54C HNSCC cells using a clonogenic endpoint. Prodrug SN39884 was deactivated as a DNA-PKi and released SN39536 under reductive conditions. Incubation of the prodrug with HCT116 cells overexpressing cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase or UT-SCC-54C cells led to hypoxia-dependent metabolism of the prodrug and efficient release of SN39536. SN39536 effectively sensitized UT-SCC-54C cells to radiation under either aerobic or anoxic conditions, while prodrug SN39884 only sensitized cells under anoxia. SN39536 and its prodrug also demonstrated radiosensitization of hypoxic cells in UT-SCC-54C tumor xenografts using an ex vivo clonogenic survival endpoint. We have identified a new class of potent and selective DNA-PK inhibitors and demonstrated the ability of a hypoxia-activated prodrug to selectively release the inhibitor under hypoxia in vitro and in vivo.
Citation Format: Michael P. Hay, Way W. Wong, Benjamin D. Dickson, Gary J. Cheng, Liew P. Liew, Cho R. Hong, William R. Wilson, Stephen M. Jamieson. Hypoxia activated prodrugs of DNA-dependent protein kinase inhibitors as radiosensitisers of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Special Conference on Radiation Science and Medicine; 2021 Mar 2-3. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2021;27(8_Suppl):Abstract nr PO-018.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Way W. Wong
- University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | | | | | - Cho R. Hong
- University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Mao X, McManaway S, Jaiswal JK, Hong CR, Wilson WR, Hicks KO. Schedule-dependent potentiation of chemotherapy drugs by the hypoxia-activated prodrug SN30000. Cancer Biol Ther 2019; 20:1258-1269. [PMID: 31131698 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2019.1617570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia-activated prodrugs (HAPs) are hypothesized to improve the therapeutic index of chemotherapy drugs that are ineffective against tumor cells in hypoxic microenvironments. SN30000 (CEN-209) is a benzotriazine di-N-oxide HAP that potentiates radiotherapy in preclinical models, but its combination with chemotherapy has not been explored. Here we apply multiple models (monolayers, multicellular spheroids and tumor xenografts) to identify promising SN30000/chemotherapy combinations (with chemotherapy drugs before, during or after SN30000 exposure). SN30000, unlike doxorubicin, cisplatin, gemcitabine or paclitaxel, was more active against cells in spheroids than monolayers by clonogenic assay. Combinations of SN30000 and chemotherapy drugs in HCT116/GFP and SiHa spheroids demonstrated hypoxia-and schedule-dependent potentiation of gemcitabine or doxorubicin in growth inhibition and clonogenic assays. Co-administration with SN30000 suppressed clearance of gemcitabine in NIH-III mice, likely due to SN30000-induced hypothermia which also modulated extravascular transport of gemcitabine in tumor tissue as assessed from its diffusion through HCT116 multicellular layer cultures. Despite these systemic effects, the same schedules that gave therapeutic synergy in spheroids (SN30000 3 h before or during gemcitabine, but not gemcitabine 3 h before SN30000) enhanced growth delay of HCT116 xenografts without increasing host toxicity. Identification of hypoxic and S-phase cells by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry established that hypoxic cells initially spared by gemcitabine subsequently reoxygenate and re-enter the cell cycle, and that this repopulation is prevented by SN30000 only when administered with or before gemcitabine. This illustrates the value of spheroids in modeling tumor microenvironment-dependent drug interactions, and the potential of HAPs for overcoming hypoxia-mediated drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjian Mao
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand
| | - Sarah McManaway
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand
| | - Jagdish K Jaiswal
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand
| | - Cho R Hong
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand
| | - William R Wilson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand
| | - Kevin O Hicks
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand
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Hong CR, Bogle G, Wang J, Patel K, Pruijn FB, Wilson WR, Hicks KO. Bystander Effects of Hypoxia-Activated Prodrugs: Agent-Based Modeling Using Three Dimensional Cell Cultures. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:1013. [PMID: 30279659 PMCID: PMC6153434 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Intra-tumor heterogeneity represents a major barrier to anti-cancer therapies. One strategy to minimize this limitation relies on bystander effects via diffusion of cytotoxins from targeted cells. Hypoxia-activated prodrugs (HAPs) have the potential to exploit hypoxia in this way, but robust methods for measuring bystander effects are lacking. The objective of this study is to develop experimental models (monolayer, multilayer, and multicellular spheroid co-cultures) comprising 'activator' cells with high expression of prodrug-activating reductases and reductase-deficient 'target' cells, and to couple these with agent-based models (ABMs) that describe diffusion and reaction of prodrugs and their active metabolites, and killing probability for each cell. HCT116 cells were engineered as activators by overexpressing P450 oxidoreductase (POR) and as targets by knockout of POR, with fluorescent protein and antibiotic resistance markers to enable their quantitation in co-cultures. We investigated two HAPs with very different pharmacology: SN30000 is metabolized to DNA-breaking free radicals under hypoxia, while the dinitrobenzamide PR104A generates DNA-crosslinking nitrogen mustard metabolites. In anoxic spheroid co-cultures, increasing the proportion of activator cells decreased killing of both activators and targets by SN30000. An ABM parameterized by measuring SN30000 cytotoxicity in monolayers and diffusion-reaction in multilayers accurately predicted SN30000 activity in spheroids, demonstrating the lack of bystander effects and that rapid metabolic consumption of SN30000 inhibited prodrug penetration. In contrast, killing of targets by PR104A in anoxic spheroids was markedly increased by activators, demonstrating that a bystander effect more than compensates any penetration limitation. However, the ABM based on the well-studied hydroxylamine and amine metabolites of PR104A did not fit the cell survival data, indicating a need to reassess its cellular pharmacology. Characterization of extracellular metabolites of PR104A in anoxic cultures identified more stable, lipophilic, activated dichloro mustards with greater tissue diffusion distances. Including these metabolites explicitly in the ABM provided a good description of activator and target cell killing by PR104A in spheroids. This study represents the most direct demonstration of a hypoxic bystander effect for PR104A to date, and demonstrates the power of combining mathematical modeling of pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics with multicellular culture models to dissect bystander effects of targeted drug carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cho R. Hong
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Gib Bogle
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jingli Wang
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kashyap Patel
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Frederik B. Pruijn
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - William R. Wilson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kevin O. Hicks
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Jamieson SM, Tsai P, Kondratyev MK, Budhani P, Liu A, Senzer NN, Chiorean EG, Jalal SI, Nemunaitis JJ, Kee D, Shome A, Wong WW, Li D, Poonawala-Lohani N, Kakadia PM, Knowlton NS, Lynch CR, Hong CR, Lee TW, Grénman RA, Caporiccio L, McKee TD, Zaidi M, Butt S, Macann AM, McIvor NP, Chaplin JM, Hicks KO, Bohlander SK, Wouters BG, Hart CP, Print CG, Wilson WR, Curran MA, Hunter FW. Evofosfamide for the treatment of human papillomavirus-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. JCI Insight 2018; 3:122204. [PMID: 30135316 PMCID: PMC6141174 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.122204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Evofosfamide (TH-302) is a clinical-stage hypoxia-activated prodrug of a DNA-crosslinking nitrogen mustard that has potential utility for human papillomavirus (HPV) negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), in which tumor hypoxia limits treatment outcome. We report the preclinical efficacy, target engagement, preliminary predictive biomarkers and initial clinical activity of evofosfamide for HPV-negative HNSCC. Evofosfamide was assessed in 22 genomically characterized cell lines and 7 cell line-derived xenograft (CDX), patient-derived xenograft (PDX), orthotopic, and syngeneic tumor models. Biomarker analysis used RNA sequencing, whole-exome sequencing, and whole-genome CRISPR knockout screens. Five advanced/metastatic HNSCC patients received evofosfamide monotherapy (480 mg/m2 qw × 3 each month) in a phase 2 study. Evofosfamide was potent and highly selective for hypoxic HNSCC cells. Proliferative rate was a predominant evofosfamide sensitivity determinant and a proliferation metagene correlated with activity in CDX models. Evofosfamide showed efficacy as monotherapy and with radiotherapy in PDX models, augmented CTLA-4 blockade in syngeneic tumors, and reduced hypoxia in nodes disseminated from an orthotopic model. Of 5 advanced HNSCC patients treated with evofosfamide, 2 showed partial responses while 3 had stable disease. In conclusion, evofosfamide shows promising efficacy in aggressive HPV-negative HNSCC, with predictive biomarkers in development to support further clinical evaluation in this indication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Mf Jamieson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Peter Tsai
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Maria K Kondratyev
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pratha Budhani
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Arthur Liu
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Neil N Senzer
- Mary Crowley Cancer Research Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - E Gabriela Chiorean
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Shadia I Jalal
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - John J Nemunaitis
- Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Dennis Kee
- LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Avik Shome
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Way W Wong
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Dan Li
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Purvi M Kakadia
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Nicholas S Knowlton
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Courtney Rh Lynch
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Cho R Hong
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Tet Woo Lee
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Reidar A Grénman
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Laura Caporiccio
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Trevor D McKee
- STTARR Innovation Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark Zaidi
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,STTARR Innovation Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sehrish Butt
- STTARR Innovation Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew Mj Macann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Nicholas P McIvor
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - John M Chaplin
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kevin O Hicks
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Stefan K Bohlander
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Bradly G Wouters
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Charles P Hart
- Threshold Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Cristin G Print
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - William R Wilson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Michael A Curran
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Francis W Hunter
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Hunter FW, Shome A, Li D, Wong WW, Tsai P, Poonawala N, Kakadiya PM, Ketelä TM, Kondratyev MK, Lynch CR, Lee TW, Tran KB, Devaux JB, Zussman R, Hong CR, Kee D, Macann AM, Hickey AJ, Bohlander SK, Print CG, Wilson WR, Wouters BG, Jamieson SM. Abstract 169: Preclinical efficacy and sensitivity determinants of evofosfamide in molecularly defined models of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2017-169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Tumor hypoxia is prevalent in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), where it limits radiotherapy outcomes. Hypoxia-activated prodrugs (HAPs) have been developed to target hypoxic regions of tumors. These agents undergo oxygen-sensitive reductive activation, thereby delivering cytotoxic species within hypoxic cells. This study investigated the efficacy and sensitivity determinants of the clinical-stage HAP evofosfamide (TH-302) using molecularly-characterized models of HNSCC. We deployed a collection of 27 HPV-negative HNSCC cell lines derived from lesions of varying TNM stages and primary, nodal or recurrent sites. The collection was characterized for gene expression by RNA-seq, from which somatic variants were also called. Their transcriptomic features were investigated in the context of pan-cancer TCGA data by hierarchical clustering. The potency and hypoxic selectivity of 3 HAPs - evofosfamide, PR-104A and SN30000 - were assessed by antiproliferative assay in 22 lines and compared to bromo-isophosphoramide mustard (Br-IPM), cisplatin and 5-FU. The antitumor activity of evofosfamide (50 mg/kg qdx5 for 2-3 cycles with or without a single 10 Gy dose of radiation on day 5 of cycle 1) was evaluated in HNSCC xenografts in addition to a PDX isolated from an SCC of the glottic larynx. The hypoxic fraction at baseline and after 5 days of treatment was quantified by pimonidazole staining. Genetic modifiers of sensitivity to evofosfamide and its cytotoxic metabolite Br-IPM were explored through whole-genome CRISPR-Cas9 screens using the GeCKO v2 library. High-throughput screens with a custom shRNA pool were performed in one HNSCC and two pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell lines to identify reductases responsible for the activation of evofosfamide in hypoxic cells. Evofosfamide was more potent and more selective for hypoxic HNSCC cells in vitro than PR-104A or SN30000. Cell line sensitivity to evofosfamide was correlated with Br-IPM and cisplatin but not with PR-104A, SN30000 or 5-FU, indicating distinct sensitivity determinants. Evidence of antitumor activity with evofosfamide was observed in vivo. CRISPR screens identified potential evofosfamide sensitivity genes that were reproducibly enriched following drug exposure. Reductase-focused RNA interference screens defined a cluster of sensitivity genes that mapped to mitochondrial electron transport, whereas shRNA’s targeted against presumed activating enzymes such as POR were not enriched. Concentration-dependent oxidation of cytochrome a and decreased respiration was observed in cells exposed to evofosfamide, suggesting reduction by mitochondrial complexes. This study provides a rationale for the clinical evaluation of evofosfamide with radiotherapy in genetically defined subsets of HNSCC patients.
Citation Format: Francis W. Hunter, Avik Shome, Dan Li, Way W. Wong, Peter Tsai, Nooriyah Poonawala, Purvi M. Kakadiya, Troy M. Ketelä, Maria K. Kondratyev, Courtney R. Lynch, Tet-Woo Lee, Khanh B. Tran, Jules B. Devaux, Rachel Zussman, Cho R. Hong, Dennis Kee, Andrew M. Macann, Anthony J. Hickey, Stefan K. Bohlander, Cristin G. Print, William R. Wilson, Bradly G. Wouters, Stephen M. Jamieson. Preclinical efficacy and sensitivity determinants of evofosfamide in molecularly defined models of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 169. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-169
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Avik Shome
- 1University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Dan Li
- 1University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Way W. Wong
- 1University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Peter Tsai
- 1University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | | | - Troy M. Ketelä
- 2Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Tet-Woo Lee
- 1University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | | | | | - Cho R. Hong
- 1University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Anderson RF, Yadav P, Shinde SS, Hong CR, Pullen SM, Reynisson J, Wilson WR, Hay MP. Radical Chemistry and Cytotoxicity of Bioreductive 3-Substituted Quinoxaline Di-N-Oxides. Chem Res Toxicol 2016; 29:1310-24. [PMID: 27380897 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.6b00133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The radical chemistry and cytotoxicity of a series of quinoxaline di-N-oxide (QDO) compounds has been investigated to explore the mechanism of action of this class of bioreductive drugs. A series of water-soluble 3-trifluoromethyl (4-10), 3-phenyl (11-19), and 3-methyl (20-21) substituted QDO compounds were designed to span a range of electron affinities consistent with bioreduction. The stoichiometry of loss of QDOs by steady-state radiolysis of anaerobic aqueous formate buffer indicated that one-electron reduction of QDOs generates radicals able to initiate chain reactions by oxidation of formate. The 3-trifluoromethyl analogues exhibited long chain reactions consistent with the release of the HO(•), as identified in EPR spin trapping experiments. Several carbon-centered radical intermediates, produced by anaerobic incubation of the QDO compounds with N-terminal truncated cytochrome P450 reductase (POR), were characterized using N-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone (PBN) and 5-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-5-methyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DEPMPO) spin traps and were observed by EPR. Experimental data were well simulated for the production of strongly oxidizing radicals, capable of H atom abstraction from methyl groups. The kinetics of formation and decay of the radicals produced following one-electron reduction of the parent compounds, both in oxic and anoxic solutions, were determined using pulse radiolysis. Back oxidation of the initially formed radical anions by molecular oxygen did not compete effectively with the breakdown of the radical anions to form oxidizing radicals. The QDO compounds displayed low hypoxic selectivity when tested against oxic and hypoxic cancer cell lines in vitro. The results from this study form a kinetic description and explanation of the low hypoxia-selective cytotoxicity of QDOs against cancer cells compared to the related benzotriazine 1,4-dioxide (BTO) class of compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert F Anderson
- School of Chemical Sciences, ‡Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, and §Maurice Wilkins Centre, University of Auckland , Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Pooja Yadav
- School of Chemical Sciences, ‡Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, and §Maurice Wilkins Centre, University of Auckland , Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Sujata S Shinde
- School of Chemical Sciences, ‡Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, and §Maurice Wilkins Centre, University of Auckland , Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Cho R Hong
- School of Chemical Sciences, ‡Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, and §Maurice Wilkins Centre, University of Auckland , Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Susan M Pullen
- School of Chemical Sciences, ‡Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, and §Maurice Wilkins Centre, University of Auckland , Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Jóhannes Reynisson
- School of Chemical Sciences, ‡Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, and §Maurice Wilkins Centre, University of Auckland , Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - William R Wilson
- School of Chemical Sciences, ‡Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, and §Maurice Wilkins Centre, University of Auckland , Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Michael P Hay
- School of Chemical Sciences, ‡Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, and §Maurice Wilkins Centre, University of Auckland , Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
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Wu MH, Lue HC, Hong CR. Unusual phrenic arteriovenous malformation mimicking pulmonary sequestration with heart failure: two cases successfully treated by surgery. Am Heart J 1990; 119:410-2. [PMID: 2301235 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-8703(05)80041-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M H Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University, Republic of China
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